Simeon

• How would it have felt to hold the baby Jesus?

• How can we make sure that we don’t take Jesus’ presence for granted?

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
Luke 2:25-26

Simeon was an older man who loved God. Simeon believed the Scriptures and knew that the fate of the world rested in the coming Messiah. More than anything, he wanted to see the Messiah, and the Holy Spirit told him that he would—that he would not die until he had seen the Christ.

The Holy Spirit led Simeon to the temple, where he saw Mary and Joseph with Jesus. They let him hold the baby, and Simeon was filled with joy. He said, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel” (Luke 2:29-32).

Simeon was honored to be in the presence of Jesus. At that moment, he felt that his life had been fulfilled, and he was ready to leave this earth. It never occurred to Simeon to take the Messiah for granted. And it shouldn’t occur to us either. We have constant access to the presence of Jesus. He is living within us. Let us treat Jesus with the same reverence, love and awe that Simeon did on that day long ago.

PRAYER
Dear God, help us to treasure every second we spend in the presence of Jesus. Amen.